Mine workers picket BMA

Coal mining unions say hundreds of workers from Bowen Basin mines will take part in a picket line today at Moranbah in Queensland's Central Highlands.

Steve Pierce from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union says Goonyella Lodge members of three unions started protected action stoppages at 5:00am (AEST) today to protest against mining company BMA's handling of enterprise negotiations.

Workers have held a series of stoppages at mines across the Bowen Basin this month.

Mr Pierce says BMA is failing to listen to workers' concerns.

"There's a sense of absolute frustration," he said.

"They're saying job security is a big issue for them and BHP need to understand that the issues they're raising and the concerns they're raising about job security are not issues that they've raised lightly.

"They intend to demonstrate to BHP that the issues of job security, representation and roster concerns that they have are real issues for them.

"By doing a public demonstration they're hoping that BHP local management will at least take the message back that these people are fair dinkum."